The Dangers of Genericism: How Popular Brands Risk Losing Their Trademark Protection

When a trademark becomes so popular that people use it as the generic term for a type of product or service, it risks losing its legal protection. This phenomenon, known as genericism, can lead to the cancellation of a trademark, leaving the brand without exclusive rights to its name.

Famous brands like Band-Aid, Xerox, Taser, and Jacuzzi have faced this threat. While they are still protected trademarks today, they’ve had to work hard to educate the public to "use the brand name properly." For example, Band-Aid reminds consumers to call it "Band-Aid brand adhesive bandages," not just "band-aid."

Once a trademark becomes generic—like what happened to Escalator, Aspirin, and Thermos—it loses its status as a trademark entirely. That’s why brands fight fiercely to protect their names!

Did you know that some everyday words you might not think twice about are actually still trademarks? Here are a few examples: Velcro, Popsicle, ChapStick, Kleenex, Jet Ski, Crock-Pot, Q-Tips, Sharpie, Bubble Wrap, and Post-it. These brands are still working hard to maintain their trademark protection, so next time you refer to one, remember you’re talking about a specific brand, not just a generic product!

So next time you reach for a "Band-Aid" or "Popsicle," remember: it’s a brand, not a generic term!